U.S. patent number 7,853,477 [Application Number 10/748,763] was granted by the patent office on 2010-12-14 for rf-based electronic system and method for automatic cross-marketing promotional offers and check-outs.
Invention is credited to John A. Anderla, Gregory Benrud, Michael D. O'Shea, Ivan Schrodt.
United States Patent |
7,853,477 |
O'Shea , et al. |
December 14, 2010 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
RF-based electronic system and method for automatic cross-marketing
promotional offers and check-outs
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing cross-marketing and
promotional offers to a customer using an electronic tag product
identification system is disclosed. The disclosed technology also
allows for presenting promotional offers in an automatic check-out
process. RFID smart tags are associated with products in a place of
purchase or a place of selection of such products. Each distinct
product is associated with at least one smart tag, the smart tags
containing identification information regarding their respective
products. RFID smart tag readers are used to retrieve product
information including information concerning promotional offers,
purchase prices and expected product weights. Such promotional
offers are presented to the customer and may be real-time
promotional offers, near real-time promotional offers or generic
promotional offers.
Inventors: |
O'Shea; Michael D. (Neenah,
WI), Benrud; Gregory (Neenah, WI), Anderla; John A.
(Appleton, WI), Schrodt; Ivan (Sherwood, WI) |
Family
ID: |
34710982 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/748,763 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20050149391 A1 |
Jul 7, 2005 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.1; 705/21;
705/16; 705/14.58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
30/0268 (20130101); G06Q 30/0238 (20130101); G06Q
30/0261 (20130101); G06Q 30/0207 (20130101); G06Q
20/202 (20130101); G06Q 30/0241 (20130101); G06Q
30/0633 (20130101); G06Q 10/087 (20130101); G06Q
30/02 (20130101); G06Q 20/20 (20130101); G06Q
20/387 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
30/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;705/14.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29714999 |
|
Nov 1997 |
|
DE |
|
19742126 |
|
Mar 1999 |
|
DE |
|
2193000 |
|
Jan 1988 |
|
GB |
|
0068851 |
|
Nov 2000 |
|
WO |
|
0169429 |
|
Sep 2001 |
|
WO |
|
0215073 |
|
Feb 2002 |
|
WO |
|
0248955 |
|
Jun 2002 |
|
WO |
|
0208006 |
|
Oct 2002 |
|
WO |
|
0065532 |
|
Nov 2002 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Advertisement--www.mobilecloak.com--mCloak--RFID Tolltags etc.,
Copyrighted--2002. cited by other .
Advertisement--www.mobilecloak.com--RFID Tags, Copyrighted--2002.
cited by other .
Ultra-Wideband Technology for Short- or Medium-Range Wireless
Communications, Copyrighted--2001 Intel Corporation. cited by other
.
Ultra Wideband: The Ultimate Disruptive Technology,
www.ultrawidebandplanet.com--Jun. 11, 2002--INT Media Group. cited
by other .
U.S. Approves Ultra-Wideband Technology,
www.wirelessnewsfactor.com--Feb. 15, 2002. cited by other .
New Public Safety Applications and Broadband Internet Access Among
Uses Envisioned by FCC Authorization of Ultra-Wideband Technology,
Federal Communications Commission--Feb. 14, 2002. cited by other
.
Ultra Wideband--searchnetworking.com, Copyrighted
2000-2002--Techtarget. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.timedomain.com--PulsON Technology
Capabilities, Sep. 3, 2002. cited by other .
White Paper--Integration of Auto-ID Tagging System With Holonic
Manufacturing Systems--Cambridge University Auto-ID Center,
Published--Sep. 1, 2001. cited by other .
Auburn University--Detection & Food Safety
Center--audfs.eng.auburn.edu, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--Smart Tags Indicate
Freshness--courses.che.umn.edu, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.aimglobal.org--Pharmaceutical Distributor
Cuts Day of Safety Stock, Aug. 29, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.idtechex.com--Independent Market, Strategic
and Technology Reports, Aug. 29, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.readymealsinfo.com--M&S Pilots RFID
System for Fresh Food Operation, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--audfs.eng.auburn.edu--Auburn University Detection
& Food Safety Center, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
RFID Journal--Internet Article--www.rfidjournalcom--Auto-ID Center
Opens Demonstration Lab in U.K., Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.autoidcenter.org--Transmitting ePC Codes,
Aug. 26, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.electronicidinc.com--Destron-Fearing
Electronic ID Background, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--destronfearing.com--Applications-Companion
Animals, Sep. 4, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--audfs.eng.auburn.edu--Auburn
University--Detection & Food Safety Center, Sep. 4, 2002. cited
by other .
Internet Article--sfgate.com--Shops Try Chips for Tracking Every
Move by Client `Tribe` Monitoring Systems Note What Catches
Customers' Eyes, Aug. 6, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.aimglobal.org--Radio Frequency
Identification--RFID A Basic Primer, Aug. 28, 1999. cited by other
.
Internet Article--www.aimglobal.org--Common Applications--RFID,
Jul. 23, 2002. cited by other .
Internet Article--www.usatoday.com--New Chips Could Make Everyday
Items `Talk`, Jul. 23, 2002. cited by other .
Forbes Magazine--The Internet of Things, Mar. 18, 2002. cited by
other .
Auto-ID Center--Institute for Manufacturing, University of
Cambridge--White Paper--Auto-ID Based Control --An Overview, Feb.
1, 2002. cited by other .
Wireless Handhelds--Beam Up Some Information, Scotty, Control
Engineering, May 2002. cited by other .
Scientific American--Wireless Data Blaster, May 2002. cited by
other .
Auto-ID Center, Institute for Manufacturing, University of
Cambridge, White Paper--The Intelligent Product Driven Supply
Chain, Feb. 1, 2002. cited by other .
Auto-ID Center Massachusetts Institute of Technology--White
Paper--Smart Medicine--The Application of Auto-ID Technology to
Healthcare, Feb. 1, 2002. cited by other .
"Theory, History, and the Advancement of Parametric Loudspeakers: A
Technology Overview", by James J. Croft and Joseph O. Norris,
Revision D, American Technology Corporation, San Diego, CA 2002.
Available at http://www.atcsd.com/pdf/HSSWHTPAPERRevE.pdf. cited by
other .
Popular Science, What's New, Suzanne Kantra Kirschner, We've heard
hypersonic sound. It could change everything. Exemplary
applications of hypersonic technology are illustrated at
www.popsci.com/popsci/hometech/article/0.12543.351353.00.html.
cited by other .
D. McFarlane, "Auto-ID Based Control," White Paper for the Auto-ID
Centre Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, United Kingdom, Feb. 1, 2002. Available at
http//www.autoidcenter.org/research/CAM-AUTOID-WH-004.pdf. cited by
other .
Wincor Nixdorf, Member of METRO Group, Future Store Initiative,
"Store Vision--High-Tech for the Future in Retail," Wincor Vision
May 2003. Available at
http:/www.wincor-nixdor.com/internet/com/Idustries/Retail/WincorVision/Wi-
ncorVisionSpezialFSI.templateld=blob.jsp.property=Data.pdf. cited
by other .
AMSKAN Editorials, RFID Overview: The science of evaluating RFID
(Radio Frequency Identification) Technology, AMSKAN Update: Jan.
1999. Available at www.amskan.com/html/rfid.sub.--overview.html.
cited by other .
Ludwig Weimann and Junru Wu Transdermal Drug Delivery by
Sono-Macroporation
http://ultra-sonictechnologies.com/cancun-presentation.htm Nov. 4,
2003 11:28:14 AM. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/748,691, filed Dec. 30, 2003. cited by other
.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/748,118, filed Dec. 30, 2003. cited by other
.
U.S. Appl. No. 10/748,455, filed Dec. 30, 2003. cited by
other.
|
Primary Examiner: Tarae; C. M
Assistant Examiner: Macasiano; Marilyn
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perkins Coie LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer, said system comprising: at least one product inventory
location for holding distinct products and displaying said distinct
products to customers wherein at least one said distinct product is
associated with at least one electronic tag, and wherein said at
least one electronic tag is configured to convey product
information; a smart cart defining a customer-storage area used by
a customer to store products while shopping; at least one
electronic tag reading device configured to retrieve information
from the at least one electronic tag; an electronic computing
device in communication with said at least one electronic tag
reading device and configured to accept, process, store and output
said product information; said electronic computing device further
configured to: (a) use said at least one electronic tag reading
device to retrieve product information from an electronic tag
associated with a hot-product wherein said hot-product is at least
one of (i) a product being examined by a customer; or (ii) a
product in a customer-storage-area; (b) use said product
information to determine if a cross-marketing promotional offer is
associated with said hot-product; (c) notify said customer of a
cross-marketing promotional offer determined to be associated with
said hot-product; and wherein said promotional offer is one of a
real time promotional offer and a near real time promotional offer;
and wherein said smart cart further comprises an item evaluator
configured to measure a physical parameter of said hot-product
placed in said customer-storage area and to cross reference the
measured physical parameter with said product information to verify
that the actual hot-product corresponds to the product referenced
in said product information.
2. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 1, wherein said cross-marketing promotional
offer is triggered by at least two items in said
customer-storage-area.
3. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 1, wherein said electronic tag is an RFID
(radio frequency identification device) smart tag and said
electronic tag reading device is an RFID STR (smart tag reader)
device.
4. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 1, wherein said electronic tag reading device
is further configured to transmit an electronic tag trigger
signal.
5. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 1, wherein said electronic computing device is
a central computer.
6. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 5, wherein said central computer is in
communication with a customer-interface associated with said
customer-storage-area and wherein said customer-interface is
configured to display at least part of said product information
received from at least one of said central computer and said
electronic tag reading device.
7. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 1, wherein said electronic computing device is
a computer comprising a customer-interface associated with said
customer-storage-area.
8. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 7, wherein said customer-interface is in
communication with a central computer and wherein said
customer-interface is further configured to receive a customer
request for a desired product and to transfer said customer request
to said central computer.
9. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 8, wherein said customer-interface is further
configured to receive and display product information from at least
one of said electronic tag reading device and said central
computer.
10. A system for providing cross-marketing promotional offers to a
customer as in claim 9, wherein said customer-interface further
comprises an RFID STR device and wherein said item evaluator
further comprises a scale in communication with said
customer-interface.
11. A smart cart, comprising: a customer-storage-area defined in
said smart-cart and used by a customer to store products while
shopping, wherein said customer-storage-area comprises an
item-evaluator; at least one electronic tag reading device
configured to retrieve product information from electronic tags
associated with products; a smart cart computer in communication
with said at least one electronic tag reading device and configured
to retrieve product information from at least one electronic tag
associated with a hot-product wherein said hot-product is at least
one of: (a) a product being examined by a customer; or (b) a
product in said customer-storage-area; wherein said smart cart
computer is in communication with said item-evaluator; wherein said
smart cart computer is further configured to use said
item-evaluator to measure a physical parameter of said hot-product
placed in said customer-storage area and to compare said measured
physical parameter with a known value to verify that said
hot-product corresponds to the product identified in said product
information; wherein said smart cart computer is further configured
to communicate with a remote computer and retrieve
supplemental-product-information associated with said hot-product
using at least part of said product information; and wherein said
smart cart computer is further configured to present to said
customer at least one member from the group consisting of: (a) at
least part of said product information; (b) at least part of said
supplemental-product-information; or (c) measured hot-product
physical parameter information.
12. A smart cart as in claim 11, wherein said at least one
electronic tag reading device is an RFID (radio frequency
identification device) STR (smart tag reader) device configured to
receive electronic tag transmissions and to transmit an electronic
tag trigger signal upon one of an automated computer request
generated by said remote computer, an automated computer request
generated by said smart cart computer and a manual request
generated by said customer.
13. A smart cart as in claim 11, wherein said smart cart computer
is further configured to receive real-time cross-marketing
promotional offers from said remote computer and present said
real-time promotional offers to said customer and wherein said
hot-product is a product placed in said customer-storage area.
14. A smart cart as in claim 11, wherein said
supplemental-product-information further comprises expected weight
information for said hot-product; said item-evaluator is a scale;
said physical parameter is weight; and said smart cart computer is
configured to verify that the total-measured-weight of hot-products
in said customer-storage-area is within a predefined
weight-tolerance of the expected-total-weight for said
hot-products.
15. A smart cart as in claim 14, wherein said smart cart computer
is further configured to communicate with a check-out-computer at a
point of sale and wherein said smart cart computer transfers to
said check-out-computer at least part of the product information
related to the hot-product in said customer-storage-area.
16. A smart cart as in claim 15, wherein at least one of said smart
cart computer and said check-out-computer automatically determines
the total sales price minus any qualifying cross-marking discounts
for said hot-product.
17. A smart cart as in claim 16, wherein at least one of said smart
cart computer or said check-out-computer automatically validates a
customer check-out by verifying that the total-measured-weight for
the hot-product in said customer storage area is within a
predefined weight-tolerance of the expected-total-weight for said
hot-product.
18. A network enabled smart cart, comprising: a customer storage
area defined in said smart cart comprising a scale configured in
said customer storage area; a customer interface; at least one
electronic tag scanning device associated with said customer
interface and configured to receive electronic tag transmissions
from electronic tags associated with hot-products; a first computer
associated with said customer interface; wherein said first
computer is in communication with said at least one electronic tag
scanning device and configured to retrieve product information
stored in the electronic tags associated with said hot-products; a
first network operating in accordance with a predetermined
protocol; a second network comprising a plurality of said customer
interfaces; a gateway operatively coupled to said first network and
to said second network; an HTTP server embedded in one of said
gateway and said plurality of customer interfaces; and wherein said
first computer is configured to establish a communication
connection to a third party computer so that a customer can
directly communicate with a third party via said customer
interface.
19. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 18, wherein said
customer interface further comprises at least one of: (a) an LCD
(liquid crystal display) display; (b) an audio system for
generating and receiving audio messages; (c) a digital camera; (d)
a video camera; or (e) a card reader.
20. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 19, wherein said first
computer is further configured to execute a Main CMAC
(cross-marketing & automatic check-out) routine when a smart
cart is present at a point of sale location.
21. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 19, wherein said at
least one electronic tag scanning device and said scale are
integrated into the same component.
22. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 19, wherein said first
computer is in communication with a remote computer and wherein
said first computer is further configured to use the product
information retrieved from the electronic tags associated with said
hot-products to retrieve supplemental-product-information from said
remote computer.
23. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 22, wherein said
supplemental-product-information includes at least one of the
following: (a) hot-product expected-weight information; (b)
hot-product pricing information; or (c) promotional offering
information associated with the purchase of said hot-product.
24. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 23, wherein said first
computer is in communication with said scale and configured to
retrieve measured weight information for said hot-products and
compare said measured weight with said expected-weight and issue an
alert when said measured weight is not within a predefined
tolerance of said expected weight.
25. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 24, wherein said first
computer is further configured to use said customer interface to
present said promotional offering information associated with said
hot products to a customer.
26. A network enabled smart cart as in claim 25, wherein said first
computer is further configured to automatically determine the
pricing information for said hot products and automatically adjust
said pricing information consistent with the requirements of
accepted promotional offers.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing
cross-marketing and promotional offers to a customer using radio
frequency based product identification systems.
BACKGROUND
Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a common problem for any
organization involved in the design, manufacture and distribution
of goods. SCM is particularly important in retail organizations
where the successful management of product inventory and the
promotion of customer satisfaction are essential for efficient
operation, customer loyalty, and optimal profit margins. Common SCM
activities for product manufacturers as well as retailers include
inventory control, supplier network development, purchasing and
marketing.
One of the goals of marketing is to continually enhance customer
satisfaction. To enhance customer satisfaction, many retail
operations support various manufacturer sponsored promotional
offers to customers. Additionally, a retailer may offer its own
promotional offers. Many such promotional offers are presented to
customers via discount coupons that are redeemable at the point of
sale. Coupon promotional offers are well known and normally offer a
discount for purchasing a product.
A similar type of coupon based promotional offer relates to
cross-marketing coupons. A manufacturer may issue a cross-marketing
coupon in which the purchase of a first product triggers a discount
coupon offer for purchasing a second product. Such second product
may be a different product (different from the first product)
produced by the same manufacturer or for a different product
produced by a second manufacturer. A cross-marketing offer is
typically for products that are commonly used at the same time
(e.g., baby wipes and diapers). Cross-marketing coupons may also be
used to promote a customer's "trial use" of an entirely new product
or a new and improved version of an existing product.
Prior art cross-marketing coupon systems typically print
cross-marketing coupons directly on a product package or enclosed
the coupon within the product package. Such prior art systems
exhibit several inherent limitations that adversely affect the
effectiveness of cross-marketing promotional offers.
First, cross-marketing coupons are generally special promotional
events valid only for a predetermined length of time and may be
intended for distribution to a specific retailer or retailers.
Consequently, a manufacturer must interrupt a production line to
print retailer specific cross-marketing coupons on the product
package or product documentation and then segregate that product
from the rest of the product inventory. The additional
coupon-printing step and segregation (e.g., special handling and
distribution) of the promotional product from the rest of the
product inventory adds additional cost to the product, is time
consuming and requires substantial lead time for the manufacturer
to offer such a promotional event.
Second, printing cross-marketing coupons directly on a product
package or enclosing the coupon within the product package
increases customer inconvenience. Such prior art cross-marketing
coupon systems would typically require a customer to purchase
(perhaps even consume) a "cross-marketing coupon triggering
product" before such customer can remove and use the coupon. Such a
system would typically require a customer to use a cross-marketing
coupon at a later date. Therefore, a customer must both clip
coupons and keep track of the clipped coupons until a later time
when such coupons are used. Such customer inconveniences reduce the
effectiveness of cross-marketing coupon offers as many customers
will likely choose not use the coupon at all.
Third, prior art coupon systems result in longer average check-out
times which can contribute to longer check-out lines. Many prior
art coupon redemption processes implemented at a point-of-sale
(e.g., scanning a product bar code at the check-out counter) are
unnecessarily time consuming in today's electronic world.
Additionally, customers will almost always resent long check-out
lines and may base their future patronage decisions at least in
part on memories of long check-out lines. Consequently, promotional
offers that result in longer check-out lines have the potential to
actually discourage customer patronage.
Fourth, prior art coupon systems (i.e., paper-based coupons)
require a retailer to collect the coupons and then send them to a
clearinghouse, which is typically an independent company used by a
retailer to sort, count, and submit coupons for payment to
manufacturers or their agents on behalf of the retailer. Further,
the manufacturer must pay the clearinghouse and the retailer for
their role in handling and processing the redeemed coupons. Clearly
all costs relating to a coupon program must be considered by the
coupon offering party when determining the amount of a coupon
offer. Restated, the coupon processing overhead costs will be
determined and such costs will reduce the amount of "savings"
offered to a customer thereby indirectly passing such processing
costs to the customer.
Fifth, the previously described prior art systems have limited
ability to influence a shopper at the point of a purchasing
decision, or simply, the point of decision. The point of decision
is generally defined as the moment a customer makes a purchasing
decision. The point of decision would typically occur, for example,
while a shopper is walking through a retailer store examining
products. Retailers and manufacturers have long known the
importance of the influencing shoppers at the point of decision;
however, their efforts to influence a shopper at the point of
decision have largely been limited to markings on product package,
such as witty slogans or eye catching color schemes and gimmicks
such as "blue light special" programs. The above described prior
art system of printing cross-marketing promotional offerings on a
product's packaging or coupons included inside a product's
packaging have limited ability to influence a shopper at the point
of decision.
An alternative to traditional coupons printed on, or enclosed in, a
product are electronic coupons. One such system is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,153, issued to Ken R. Powell, and such
reference is hereby incorporated for all purposes. Powell U.S. Pat.
No. 5,727,153 describes a system for creating, dispensing, and
redeeming electronic discount coupons in a store. The system
includes a "smart card," product stations adjacent to selected
products in the store and a check-out station. To create an
electronic coupon, the customer inserts the card into the product
station adjacent to the product the customer wishes to purchase,
and the product station then writes an electronic coupon onto the
card. The customer continues to shop throughout the store,
collecting electronic coupons for products of interest. Upon
completing his or her shopping, the customer redeems the electronic
coupons at the check-out area by inserting the card into the
check-out station. If the product code data (e.g., the Universal
Product Code, or UPC) on the product matches data stored on the
card, the customer receives the discount. Periodically, the
electronic coupon data is transferred to a remote clearing
house.
One limitation of the Powell U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,153 electronic
coupon system, however, relates to the "smart card" feature. Using
the Powell '153 system, a customer must have in his or her
possession a smart card and must repeatedly "scan" the smart card
in order to collect and qualify for discount offers. The customer
may misplace such card while on a shopping trip. In addition, a
customer may not take the time to repeatedly scan the card or may
simply forget to scan the card. Further, the Powell '153 electronic
coupon system does not provide for cross-marketing offers.
Therefore a need exists for a cross-marketing promotional process
that does any one of the following: (1) provides more flexibility
in creating promotional offers by substantially reducing or
eliminating the lead time required for a manufacturer to offer a
promotional event; (2) provides for "after shipping"
cross-marketing promotional offer (i.e. a promotional offer that is
conceived and offered after the product is shipped); (3) provides
for a cross-marketing promotional process that is more
cost-efficient; (4) that minimizes or eliminates customer
inconveniences such as longer check-out times, coupon clipping and
the necessity to return to the store to use cross-marketing
coupons; and (5) provides an improved method for influencing a
shopper at the point of a purchasing decision.
SUMMARY
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
following description, or may be obvious from the description, or
may be learned through practice of the invention.
The present invention relates to novel implementations of Radio
Frequency (RF) based product identification technology and
electronic product identification codes, such as EPC codes, in a
system and method for providing cross-marketing promotional offers
to a customer as well as improved point-of-sale procedures.
Certain embodiments according to aspects of the present invention
will provide significant improvements in promotional offering
programs by lowering administrative costs, providing for real-time
promotional offers that provide a more dynamic influence on a
customer at the point of a purchasing decision while minimizing
customer inconvenience and point-of-sale check-out time
requirements. One such exemplary embodiment according to aspects of
the present invention relates generally to novel implementations of
Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology to assist
organizations with various aspects of providing promotional offers
such as cross-marketing coupons. Such RFID based systems and
methods provide retailers and manufacturers with the ability to
issue cost efficient promotional offers to customers in real-time
if desired.
Generally speaking, a "real-time" promotional offer is a
promotional offer that may be triggered by a customer's shopping
activity, and thus, may be a customer specific promotional offer. A
"real-time" offer would typically be presented to such customer
while engaging in such shopping activity. For example, if a
customer is viewing product Y or places product Y in a shopping
cart, using the disclosed technology a remote party (such as a
manufacturer or retailer) may detect such customer activity and
offer the customer a discount for purchasing product Z where such
discount is conditional on a purchase of product Y. Real-time
promotional offers would typically be presented to the customer
before the customer ends his shopping experience and ideally at a
"point of decision."
Radio Frequency Identification Devices and associated systems are
well suited for SCM applications in general and promotional
offering systems in particular. RFID systems may include low-cost,
passive "smart" chips or "tags" that can be embedded in or attached
to articles, products, and the like to convey information about the
product via a scanner. Smart tags are generally small label-like
devices with a micro-chip and a miniature embedded antenna. Such
tags may be passive or active, the active tags requiring an
internal power supply. A reader or scanner interrogates the smart
tag with an electronic "trigger" signal. The smart tag in turn
generates an electromagnetic pulse response that is readable by the
scanner, the response containing the product information. RFID
smart tags can be associated with a product by being embedded in or
attached to product packaging, or incorporated directly into the
product, and may convey conventional "bar code" information, as
well as other more detailed information.
Such RFIDs and associated systems provide the ability to reliably
and automatically obtain real-time product information for
individual products throughout the supply chain. For example, RFID
systems can provide retailers and manufactures real-time product
information relating to products a customer is examining or has
indicated an intention to purchase by placing such products in a
shopping cart. Using RFID technology, retailers and manufacturers
may provide real time product information and promotional offerings
to a customer while the customer is shopping.
Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methodology and system may
include a manufacturer computer and database associated with a
manufacturing location and a retailer computer and database
associated with a particular retail store. The smart tags may be
associated with a product at the manufacturing facility and coded
with product information, such as the name of the product, type or
category of product, manufacturer of the product, an electronic
product code (EPC) and so forth. RFID Smart Tag Readers (STR) may
be made available at various points along the supply chain in a
number of conceivable scenarios according to the invention. Such
RFID STR devices may be configured to interrogate RFID smart tags
to obtain the information stored in such tags. The RFID STR devices
may also be configured to use various techniques for ascertaining
the RFID smart tag location. The RFID STR devices may then transfer
such information to another electronic device, such as a computer.
The electronic device may then use such product information to
ascertain any promotional offers, such as cross-marketing coupons,
that may be applicable to the product and transfer such information
to a customer interface.
In one particular embodiment of the system and methodology
according to the invention, the smart tags are associated with each
distinct product, preferably at the place of manufacture. The smart
tags may be in the form of adhesive labels or the like that may be
attached directly to the product packaging, or to a separate
container that holds the product. The RFID tagged products are then
placed in customer display inventory locations. Exemplary customer
display inventory locations include store shelves, refrigeration
units, store cabinets, etc., wherever products are located for
customer viewing. RFID tagged products may also be placed in
retailer storage inventory locations. One well known exemplary
retailer storage inventory location is the in-store stock room.
For this embodiment, at least one RFID STR device is provided in
communication range of each distinct product. For example, one RFID
STR device can be moved throughout the retailer store covering all
the customer display inventory locations and retailer storage
inventory locations. Similarly, an array of RFID STR devices can be
moved throughout the retailer store. In the alternative, an array
of fixed RFID STR devices can be used. An RFID STR device may
comprise a simple transmitter that transmits smart tag "trigger"
signals. An RFID STR device may comprise both a transmitter for
transmitting "trigger" signals and a receiver for detecting and
receiving smart tag transmissions.
The RFID STR devices may be configured to communicate with a
central computer and its associated hardware and software. Such a
central computer is preferably located at the retailer store
(retailer central computer) but may also be a customer interface or
any other suitable electronic device used for data processing.
Additionally, an RFID STR device may be associated with a "smart
cart." A "smart cart" is a container, such as a shopping cart, that
incorporates an electronic computing device and may be used by a
customer while shopping to store items the customer anticipates
purchasing. Such a smart cart may comprise, for example, a
computing device, a display, an RFID STR and a scale. Such devices
may be individual components cooperatively connected through wired
or wireless connections or integrated into a single electric
device. For example, a smart cart computer, a smart cart display
and a smart cart RFID STR may be integrated into a single
electronic component and referred to collectively as a customer
interface.
One exemplary embodiment of a customer interface is an electronic
device comprising a processor, memory and an LCD screen and is
preferably located on a shopping cart or other similar apparatus
traditionally used by customers while shopping.
The customer interface is configured to receive a customer request
for a desired product and transmit such request to a central
computer. The central computer may then access an associated
database for product information or request an RFID STR device to
provide product information on the requested item. The central
computer receives the product information from the RFID STR device
(such as inventory count and product location) and transfers at
least part of such information to the customer interface.
Alternatively, the customer interface may communicate directly with
the RFID STR device or an RFID STR device may be incorporated in
the customer interface. Such product information may include
information on promotional offers that may be related to items in
said smart cart or items being viewed by a customer near said smart
cart. With this configuration, the central computer (or smart cart
computer) will automatically notify the customer of a qualifying
promotional offer, such as a cross-marketing offer, and determine
when the customer accepts such promotional offer and automatically
process accepted promotional offers.
Another embodiment of the system and methodology according to the
invention, relates to a smart cart using smart tag technology to
facilitate automatic customer check-outs. Such a smart cart may
include a customer-storage-area. Such customer-storage-area may be
used to hold products while a customer is shopping. The smart cart
further includes a smart-cart-scale. In one exemplary embodiment,
such smart-cart-scale provides the surface upon which products are
placed when in the customer-storage-area. The smart cart further
includes an electronic tag reading device configured to retrieve
product information from electronic tags associated with products.
Such electronic tag reading device may be a simple reader that only
receives electronic tag transmissions and does not transmit an
electronic tag trigger signal. Alternatively, such electronic tag
reading device may be configured to transmit an electronic tag
trigger signal.
The electronic tag transmissions comprise product information
associated with a "hot-product." A "hot-product" is a product that
a customer is presently examining or a product that a customer has
placed in the customer-storage-area. The smart cart may be further
configured to communicate with a remote computer and to retrieve
supplemental-product-information associated with the hot-product.
Such supplemental-product-information may be retrieved using the
product information retrieved from the electronic tag associated
with a hot-product. Generally speaking,
supplemental-product-information is any information associated with
a product that is not part of the product information stored in the
product's electronic tag. Such supplemental-product-information may
comprise, for example, cross-marketing promotional offers, expected
product weight values, product descriptions, product location
within the retailer store and other such information. Exemplary
promotional information includes information relating to
cross-marketing promotional offers wherein such offers may be
real-time promotional offers or near real-time promotional offers.
A near real-time promotional offer is a customer generic offer that
was generated recently, perhaps at the beginning of the shopping
day, but generally after a product has been shipped by a
manufacturer to a retailer.
The smart cart computer is further configured to present product
information and supplemental-product-information to the customer.
Ideally, the smart cart computer is in wired or wireless
communication with the smart-cart-scale. Suitable wireless
technologies are well known in the art and include Wi-Fi (wireless
fidelity) and Bluetooth. With such a configuration, the smart cart
computer can obtain a total-measured-weight of the product or
products on the smart-cart-scale and compare such
total-measured-weight to the expected-total-weight. If the
measured-weight is within a predefined weight-tolerance of the
expected-weight, there is an increased confidence that all products
on the smart-cart scale are associated with operable and correctly
programmed electronic tags.
Still further embodiments of the present invention relate to
methodologies for presenting customers with real-time and near
real-time cross-marketing promotional offers. For this exemplary
embodiment, electronic smart tags are associated with products.
Such products may be placed in retailer display locations, such as
customer display inventory locations. As customers are shopping in
a retailer establishment, electronic tags associated with
"hot-products" are scanned to retrieve the product information
stored in such electronic tags. As mentioned above, hot-products
are products being examined by a customer or products that have
been placed in a customer-storage-area. The product information
retrieved from the hot-products is then used to determine if there
are any cross-marketing promotional incentives associates with the
hot products related to the purchase of a second product. Next the
customer is automatically notified of such cross-marketing
promotional offers and offered an opportunity to accept such offer.
When the customer arrives at a point of sale to purchase the
hot-products (i.e. the customer checks-out), the appropriate
check-out adjustments consistent with accepted promotional offers
are automatically calculated. Such promotional offers may be
transmitted to a customer-interface associated with a shopping cart
where the offers are displayed for customer viewing. Promotional
offers may also be presented to customer via a voice message using,
for example, hypersonic technology. Such promotional offers may
also be displayed on a display associated with a smart shelf where
the promotional offer is displayed when a customer passes near a
second product qualifying for a cross-marketing discount (as
determined based on the products already in customer storage).
Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates
to a method for automatic customer check-outs. For this method,
electronic smart tags are associated with products and such
products are placed in a retailer inventory location for customer
viewing while shopping. Each distinct product is associated with at
least one smart tag, where such smart tags contain
product-information relating to their respective product. Next, the
electronic tags associated with hot-products are scanned with an
electronic tag scanner to retrieve product information relating to
the hot-products being purchased. Such product information is used
to determine the expected weight of such hot-products and the price
of such hot-products. The expected weight and pricing information
may be contained in the product information retrieved form the
electronic tags. Alternatively, the product information may be used
to access a remote database to retrieve the necessary weight and
pricing information. Next the measured weight of the hot-products
being purchased is determined. If the measured weight of the
hot-products is within a predefined expected weight for such
hot-products, the customer is notified of a valid automatic
check-out. Otherwise, a message may be transmitted to a retailer
customer care representative requesting assistance with the
check-out process.
Also included in such method is automatically adjusting the sales
price to allow for qualifying promotional offerings. It should be
noted that the step of using said product-information to determine
the price of hot-products includes the steps of retrieving
information relating to promotional offers associated with the
hot-products being purchased and automatically adjusting the
purchase price of such hot-products consistent with the terms of
the promotional offer(s).
Additionally, the step of determining the weight of the
hot-products may be performed by weighing all hot-products at the
same time while on a scale associated with said
customer-storage-area. Similarly, the smart tags associated with
the hot-products may be simultaneously scanned or substantially
simultaneously scanned. Methods for receiving multiple smart tag
transmissions and avoiding data transfer "collisions" are well
known by those skilled in the art.
Alternatively, the weight of said hot-products may be determined
singularly and electronic tags scanned singularly at a
point-of-sale check-out-station. Such hot-products may also be
weighed at the same time and smart tags scanned at the same time
while such products are on a scale associated with said
check-out-station. As before, the customer is automatically
notified when the check-out process has been validated and payment
is requested. The customer would ideally tender payment using well
known technology such as a credit/debit card reader thereby
completing an automatic check-out process.
Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not
necessarily expressed in this summarized section, may include and
incorporate various combinations of aspects of features or parts
referenced in the summarized objectives above, and/or features or
components as otherwise discussed in this application.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the
features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review
of the remainder of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling description of the present subject matter,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of an exemplary supply chain
incorporating an RFID based system in accordance with one possible
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration of products and associated RFID
smart tags in a customer inventory location, an exemplary
smart-cart and hot-products in a customer-storage-area and
hot-products being view by a customer in accordance with one
possible embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary point of sale
location comprising an automatic check-out-station in accordance
with one possible embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary point of sale
location comprising an automatic check-out-station used in
conjunction with a smart-cart in accordance with one possible
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a logical flow chart of an exemplary Main CMAC routine
according to the invention;
FIG. 6 is a logical flow chart of an exemplary POS Check-Out
routine according to the invention; and
FIG. 7 is a logical flow chart of an exemplary Automatic Check-Out
routine according to the invention.
Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present
specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same
or analogous features or elements of the present technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments of
the invention, examples of which are graphically illustrated in the
drawings. Each example and embodiment are provided by way of
explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the
invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part
of one embodiment may be utilized with another embodiment to yield
still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present
invention include these and other modifications and variations.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of an exemplary RFID based
promotional offering system, or simply system 10, depicting various
components of a supply chain in accordance with the present
invention. Exemplary system 10 represents a retail supply chain for
any type of product and includes a manufacturing central computer
12 associated with a manufacturing database 14 and a retailer
central computer 20 associated with a retailer database 22, all
interconnected via a standard wired and/or wireless communication
link 24. It should be appreciated that manufacturing central
computer 12 and retailer central computer 20 may be connected to a
common database without departing from the scope of the disclosed
technology and methodology. For example, manufacturer database 14
and retailer database 22 may be incorporated into a single
database.
RFID STR 30 represents one or more smart tag readers (sometimes
referred to as RFID scanners) of conventional design and are used
to retrieve the information contained in RFID smart tags. RFID STR
30 is one possible embodiment of an electronic tag reading devices
that may, for example, comprise an RF transmitter and receiver and
an antenna to communicate with RFID transponders, such as RFID
smart tags. Such RFID STR devices may include a microprocessor and
software programs for this purpose. Exemplary readers include
Matrics.RTM. Advanced Readers manufactured by Matrics, Inc.
(Columbia, Md.), Alien Technology (Morgan Hill, Calif.), or Philips
Semiconductor (Eindhoven, The Netherlands). Another example of an
RFID STR device is an RFID reader manufactured by Antenova Ltd.
(Cambridge, England) or Bancolini B30 handheld RFID Scanner
manufactured by Bancolini (Bologna, Italy).
RFID STR 30 may be accessed through RFID STR interface 52. Such
RFID STR interface may be, for example, a standard PC or PDA device
incorporating a digital interface designed to facilitate
communication between RFID STR devices and a computing device
connected to wired or wireless communication link 24. RFID STR
interface 52 may comprise a gateway for connecting two otherwise
incompatible systems or for simply providing a connection between
two compatible systems. RFID STR Interface 52 may also be
incorporated into retailer central computer 20. Communication link
56 may provide a wired or wireless connection from RFID STR
Interface 52 to communications link 24.
RFID Smart Tag Reader (STR) 30 represents one or more RFID STR
devices disposed at various locations within retailer store 21. To
facilitate remote access to such RFID STR device(s), a networking
system, such as a local area network (LAN), may be utilized. In one
embodiment, such RFID STR 30 device incorporates a TCP/IP protocol
suite and an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) server to provide
two-way access to the RFID STR 30 data. Such TCP/IP protocols and
HTTP server technology are well known in the art. For such an
embodiment, the RFID STR 30 device(s) include an HTTP server and a
TCP/IP protocol stack. The RFID STR interface 52 may provide a
gateway (between computers connected to communications link 24 and
RFID STR 30) which ideally enables continuous remote access to the
RFID STR 30 devices. A gateway is an electronic device that
connects two otherwise incompatible systems or that simply provides
a connection between two compatible systems.
Alternatively, the TCP/IP protocol suite may be incorporated into a
gateway serving multiple RFID STR devices via a wired or wireless
two-way network. The gateway may incorporate an HTTP server for
accessing data from multiple RFID STR devices and for transmission
of data to individual RFID STR devices.
In the above described system 10 configuration, communications link
24 provides access to a first network (such as the Internet)
operating in accordance with a predetermined protocol (TCP/IP is
one example). A plurality of RFID STR 30 devices may comprise a
second network. A gateway (RFID STR Interface 52) operatively
couples the first network to the second network. Finally, an HTTP
server is embedded in either the gateway or the plurality of RFID
STR devices facilitating the transfer of data between the two
networks. With such a configuration, one of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that individual RFID STR devices or groups of
RFID STR devices may be accessed as if the STR devices were a web
site and their information could be displayed on a web browser.
Such technology is fully disclosed by Ardalan et al. in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,363,057 for use in a system for communicating with
electricity meters, which is hereby incorporated by reference for
all purposes.
As noted above, RFID STR 30 represents one or more RFID STR devices
located at a retailer storage inventory 36 and customer display
inventory 38. STR 30 is connected to RFID STR interface 52 via a
wired or wireless communications link 54. With such a
configuration, manufacturing central computer 12, retailer central
computer 20, user interface 58, third-party computer 25 and any
properly configured computing device connected to communications
link 24 and may transmit and receive data to and from RFID STR 30
as well as customer-interface 62.
User interface 58 represents one or more devices designed for
providing access to electronic data systems. Such devices include a
computer, a terminal, PDA or any digital device configured for
accessing data systems. One or more user interface 58 devices may
be located wherever access is required to system 10.
Internet link 24 is a standard Internet link that typically
provides a two way communication link between system 10 and
networks external to system 10, although Intranet computers can
also be accessed through such a link. For example, potential
customers of retailer store 21 may use Internet link 24 to shop for
products sold by a retailer store 21, perhaps by accessing product
descriptions stored on database 22. Customers may also obtain
real-time product inventory data as well as other information
related to the retailer's products.
Still referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram representation of an
exemplary smart cart 61 is depicted. Smart cart 61 may comprise a
customer-interface 62 and a smart-cart-scale 63. Smart cart 61 is a
device a customer would use while shopping to store and transport
the products the customer anticipates purchasing. Exemplary smart
cart 61 provides a customer-storage-area 67 (FIG. 2) where the
bottom of such customer-storage-area 67 comprises an item
evaluator, such as smart-cart-scale 63. Smart-cart-scale 63 is in
communication with customer-interface 62 via wired or wireless
communication link 65.
Smart-cart-scale 63 is one possible embodiment of an
item-evaluator. An item-evaluator is an electronic device
associated with customer-storage area 67 and designed to measure a
physical parameter, such as weight, of hot-products in
customer-storage area 67. The general purpose of such an
item-evaluator is to provide a means for cross referencing the
electronic tag data retrieved from hot products. Such cross
referencing provides added confidence that all items are associated
with proper electronic tag, that such electronic tags are working
properly and that such electronic tags have been programmed
properly and/or that the supplemental-product-information
associated with hot-products is accurate.
Customer-interface 62 (shown FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4) is an
electronic device preferably supplied by the retailer and used by a
customer while shopping for products in customer display inventory
38. Customer interface 62 may have a conventional hardware and
software architectural design suitably adapted for sending messages
to and receiving messages from a central computer (such as retailer
central computer 20) and/or RFID STR devices (such as RFID STR 30).
While customer interface 62 is portrayed as having a built-in
visual display screen 64, it should be recognized that customer
display 62 may comprise a plurality of physically separated but
cooperatively associated electronic devices that are not shown
independently such as a radiofrequency transmitter and receiver, a
processor, one or more display means such as a visual display
screen 64, a magnetic card reader, an audio speaker, and the like,
each communicating with or under control of a central computer,
ideally central computer 20. Customer interface 62 may incorporate
an alarm or alert feature wherein the customer is notified of
special product offerings. Customer interface 62 may also comprise
an RFID STR device.
As noted above, smart cart 61 comprises a customer-storage-area 67
for storing products a customer anticipates purchasing, referred to
herein as "hot-products." Restated, a "hot-product" is a product
that a customer is presently examining or a product that a customer
has placed in customer-storage-area 67. FIG. 2 depicts two
hot-products, 69a and 69b.
Customer-interface 62 may be in communication with a remote
computer, such as retailer central computer 20, manufacturer
central computer 12, user interface 58, third-party computer 25 or
any properly configured computing device connected to communication
link 24. With this configuration, customer-interface 62 may be used
to retrieve, from a remote computer,
supplemental-product-information associated with hot-products. For
example, customer-interface 62 may use an associated RFID STR
device to retrieve product information from electronic tags
associates with exemplary hot-products 69a and 69b. For this
example, such product information comprises a Universal Product
Code (UPC). Customer-interface 62 would transmit such product
information to a remote computer, such as retailer central computer
20, and request supplemental-product-information. Retailer central
computer 20 may respond by transmitting selective
supplemental-product-information back to customer-interface 62 to
be displayed for customer viewing on LCD display 64.
Generally speaking, supplemental-product-information is any
information associated with a product that is not part of the
product information retrieved from an electronic tag or stored in
an electronic tag. Such supplemental-product-information may
comprise, for example, cross-marketing promotional offers, expected
product weight values, product descriptions, product location
within the retailer store and other such information. Exemplary
promotional information includes information relating to
cross-marketing promotional offers wherein such offers may be
real-time promotional offers or near real-time promotional offers.
The smart cart computer is further configured to present product
information and supplemental-product-information to the
customer.
Ideally, the smart cart computer associated with customer-interface
62 is in wired or wireless communication with smart-cart-scale 63.
Suitable wireless communications technologies are well known in the
art, examples of which include Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) and
Bluetooth. With such a configuration, the smart cart computer can
obtain a total-measured-weight of the product or products on the
smart-cart-scale and compare such total-measured-weight to the
expected-total-weight. The smart cart computer would determine the
expected-total-weight using product information or
supplemental-product-information retrieved from smart tags 72 or a
remote computer respectively. If the total-measured-weight is
within a predefined weight-tolerance of the expected-total-weight,
there is an increased confidence that all products on the
smart-cart scale are associated with operable electronic tags.
Conversely, when a product added to the customer-storage-area
results in a total-measured-weight that is not within such
predefined weight-tolerance of the expected-total-weight,
customer-interface 62 may issue an alert to the customer.
For example, assume an exemplary predefined weight-tolerance of 98%
of the expected-total-weight. If the expected total weight for 10
products is 100 pounds and the total-measured-weight is only 95
pounds, the smart cart would issue an alert. Such alert may be
transmitted to the shopper or to a customer service representative.
Such an alert would put the shopper on notice that something
associated with the last added product (inoperable smart tag,
missing smart tag, incorrect product information, etc.) placed in
customer-storage-area 67 is faulty and that such product will
likely result in a longer check-out time (due to a customer service
person having to troubleshoot the problem and/or manually check-out
the item). Thus, such an alert gives a customer the opportunity to
switch the product with another product (same product type, just in
a different package) before proceeding to a point of sale. Anyone
who has experienced check-out delays due to bad product labeling
associated with prior art check-out systems (i.e. optical bar code
systems) will appreciated the value of this feature.
The above example used a "total expected weight" value and measured
the total expected for all the products in customer-storage-area
67. It should be appreciated that the smart cart computer could
just as easily determine the added additional weight of the last
item placed on smart-cart-scale 63 and issue an alert when the
added weight is not correct. For example, assume for a moment that
nine items weighing 90 lbs. are on smart-cart-scale 63. A tenth
item is placed on smart-cart-scale 63 and the total weight goes up
to 100 lbs. The smart cart computer may detect that 10 lbs. has
been added on top of smart-cart-scale 63 and scan the smart tags
associated with the items on smart-cart-scale 63. The smart cart
computer may then receive information for the newly added item
including expected weight information for item ten. If the measured
weight for item ten is not within a predefined weight tolerance of
the expected weight, then the smart cart computer issues an alert.
It should be appreciated that both methods use (directly or
indirectly) the expected total weight of hot-products.
Smart cart 61 also allows for remote updating of a shopping list.
Customer-interface 62 ideally allows a customer to establish a
communication connection with third-party-computer 25 via
communications link 24. Such a remote communication connection
could be established, for example, using an IP address associated
with third-party-computer 25 and software for facilitating remote
communication connections. Examples of such software include
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) and Windows Remote Desktop.
Alternatively, an instant messaging type connection could be
established between customer-interface 62 and third-party computer
25 allowing a customer to send and receive instant text message,
VoIP (Voice Over IP) messages and/or video enabled messages to a
person associated with third-party-computer 25.
For example, suppose person A sends person B to a grocery store to
purchase products W, X and Y. Person B travels to retailer store 21
and acquires smart cart 61. Person B uses customer-interface 62 to
establish a communication connection with third-party-computer 25
which may be monitored by person A. Alternatively, person B could
simply log into an instant messaging system. While person B is at
the grocery store purchasing products W, X and Y, person A
discovers that person A also needs product Z. Using
third-party-computer 25, person A accesses person B's shopping list
and automatically updates the list. Alternatively, person A simply
sends person B an instant message informing person B to also
purchase product Z. Ideally, such a communication connection would
be established automatically when person B enters a customer ID (or
scans an ID card, smart card, etc.) into customer-interface 62.
Additionally, for a video/camera enabled customer-interface 62,
person B could send a snapshot or video image of a product to
person A so that person A can verify that person B has the correct
product.
Again referring to FIG. 2, exemplary retailer products 70 stored in
customer display inventory 38 are shown. In the FIG. 2 illustrated
embodiment, the products 70 are food products. It should be
appreciated that this is for purposes of illustration only. The
products may just as well be clothing items, hardware items, and
other staple items of commerce. Such exemplary retailer products 70
are provided or associated with respective RFID smart tags 72. As
discussed in greater detail below, the smart tags 72 transmit a
coded pulsed signal 78 containing product information in response
to an electronic "trigger" 76 from a STR 30.
The smart tags 72 may be attached directly to the products 70, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the smart tags 72 may
be, for example, adhesive backed labels or tags that are attached
directly to the packaging of the products 70. Alternatively, such
smart tags 72 maybe attached to containers that are specially
designed to hold such products. For example, a toothbrush and its
associated factory packaging could be placed in a tubular container
where a smart tag 72 is attached to said tubular container. Such
container may be reusable.
Similarly, system 10 according to this embodiment of the invention
includes a combination of smart tags 72 attached directly to the
products as well as the location where such products are to be
placed on display for customers to view while shopping. For
example, a smart tag 72 may be attached to both the products 70 and
the shelves containing the products 70 along with or incorporated
with the store's own identification labels.
In general, as shown in FIG. 2, a different smart tag 72 is
associated with each distinct product. For example, if the retailer
carries three different brands of milk, then a different smart tag
may be associated with each brand. Similarly, if three different
size containers of the same brand of milk are carried by the store,
then a different smart tag 72 may be associated with each different
sized container.
The product identification information stored in the smart tags 72
is not limited in scope, and may include, for example, information
identifying the type of product, brand name of product,
manufacturer of the product, etc. The type of product information
stored in smart tags 72 is preferably adequate to correlate with
various manners of listing desired products. For example, certain
customers may only list "milk" and "butter" in a generic sense in
their respective lists of desired products. Different customers may
identify the milk and butter by a particular brand name. The stored
product identification information should be adequate to assimilate
all reasonably conceivable methods of listing desired products.
With conventional RFID "smart" systems, the smart tags 72 are
passive devices. As shown in FIG. 2, RFID STR 30 emits a trigger
excitation signal 76 received by an internal antenna in the smart
tag 72. This signal 76 causes the smart tag 72 to generate and
transmit signal 78, an electromagnetic pulse of coded digital data
containing the product identification information. The coded signal
78 is received by the RFID STR 30 (or customer-interface 62),
decoded, and the product identification information is presented to
retailer central computer 20, in any number of ways. Retailer
central computer 20 may then transfer any relevant product
information to customer-interface 62.
RFID smart tag technology is known and understood by those skilled
in the art, and a detailed explanation thereof is not necessary for
purposes of describing the method and system according to the
present invention. Generally, conductive or passive smart tags 72
consist of silicon or other semiconductors, a coiled, etched, or
stamped antenna, a capacitor, and a substrate on which the
components are mounted or embedded. A protective covering is
typically used to encapsulate and seal the substrate. Inductive or
passive smart tags have been introduced by Motorola under the name
"BiStatix." A detailed description of the BiStatix device may be
found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,367 B1, incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety for all purposes. Another commercial
source of suitable smart tags is Alien Technology Corporation of
Morgan Hill, Calif., under the technology name FSA (Fluidic
Self-Assembly). With the FSA process, tiny semiconductor devices
are assembled into rolls of flexible plastic. The resulting "smart"
substrate can be attached or embedded in a variety of surfaces. The
smart tag technology under development at the Auto-ID Center at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Mass.) can also
be used within the scope of the present invention. Further
information on smart tags and related technology is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,154, "RFID Manufacturing Concepts," issued Sep.
17, 2002 to Grabau et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,493, "System and
Method for Finding a Specific RFID Tagged Article Located in a
Plurality of RFID Tagged Articles," issued Mar. 12, 2002 to Mon;
PCT publication WO 02/48955, published Jun. 20, 2002; U.S. Pat. No.
6,362,738, "Reader for Use in a Radio Frequency Identification
System and Method," issued Mar. 26, 2002 to Vega; D. McFarlane,
"Auto-ID Based Control," White Paper for the Auto-ID Centre
Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge,
United Kingdom, Feb. 1, 2002, available at
www.autoidcenter.org/research/CAM-AUTOID-WH-004.pdf; and Chien Yaw
Wong, "Integration of Auto-ID Tagging System with Holonic
Manufacturing Systems," White Paper for the Auto-ID Centre
Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge,
United Kingdom, September 2001, available at
www.autoidcenter.org/research/CAM-WH-001.pdf. Such references are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all
allowed purposes.
Other RFID technologies believed to be of value for the present
invention include those produced by Microchip Technologies
(Chandler, Ariz.), which provides remote read-write chips at
several frequencies. Also of potential value are the I*CODE chips
and readers of Philips Semiconductor (Eindhoven, The Netherlands),
which, in one embodiment, are said to include 384 bit configurable
read/write memory with 64 bits for a unique serial number (e.g., an
electronic product code). Sokymat (Lausanne, Switzerland) markets
the PICCOLO read-only RFID disc tag which transmits data to a
reader station by an AM radio signal. The tag is said to have 64
bits of data that can be programmed during manufacture by laser
fusing of polysilicon links in order to store a unique code on each
tag.
Texas Instruments (Dallas, Tex.) offers RFID technology as part of
Texas Instruments RFID (TI*RFID.TM.) Systems, formerly known as the
TIRIS.TM. system (Texas Instruments Registration and Identification
System), which is used to track and identify various assets using
devices such as the TI Tag It.TM. chip.
Gemplus (Gemenos, France) provides smart tags (sometimes called
"smart labels") and smart cards employing RFID technology, which
may be used as smart tags. They also market interfaces, antennas,
scanners and software that can be adapted for use with smart
tags.
Nedap (Groenlo, The Netherlands) provides smart cards and a 13.56
MHz smart tag using RFID technology with 512 bits of read-write
memory with a range of about 120 cm. It is claimed that about 20
such tags per second can be read successfully by a scanner.
Checkpoint Systems Inc. (Miami, Fla.) offers a smart tag with WORM
technology (write once, read many). One example is the MCRF355
chip, described more fully at
www.idsystems.com/reader/1999.sub.--05/join0599.htm.
PDA-like reader systems and other portable readers for RFID
technology are marketed by Omron Company (Tokyo, Japan), such as
the Model V700 or V720 series.
High frequency bands can be used in RFID technology, such as bands
between 300 MHz and 10 GHz. SCS Corporation (Rancho Bernardo,
Calif.), for example, markets smart tag technology at 2.45 GHz.
Ultra-wide band technology can also be adapted for RFID
systems.
A related technology within the scope of the present invention is
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology. For example, InfoRay
(Cambridge, Mass.) markets a passive smart tag that is said to
achieve long ranges (up to 30 meters) using a Surface Acoustic Wave
(SAW) device on a chip coupled with an antenna. The SAW device
converts a radio signal to an acoustic wave, modulates it with an
ID code, then transforms it to another radio signal that is emitted
by the smart tag and read by a scanner. The ID code of the smart
tag is extracted from the radio signal. The scanner is said to
compare the spectral content of the signal with a database of
signatures to derive the ID code. This method enables a read range
of up to 30 m (typical 10-20 m). The system can operate in the 915
MHz band and 2.45 GHz band. RFSAW, Inc. (Dallas, Tex.) also
provides minute Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) RFID devices that can
be used within the scope of the present invention.
The antenna embedded within the smart tags 72 is generally one
component of the device, though it is recognized that alternatives
to antennas may exist in some applications. For example, for some
metallic objects, the smart tag need not comprise an antenna but
the metallic object itself can serve as the antenna. The excitation
signal 76 from the RFID STR 30 can be received by the antenna to
"activate" the smart tag. The received excitation signal 76 is the
power source for the smart tag 72 and results in the generation of
the electromagnetic pulse containing the coded product
identification information signal 78. A detailed description of
RFID smart tag antennas may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,556 B1,
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
In an alternate embodiment, the smart tags 72 may be active
devices. In this configuration, the smart tag 72 includes active
transceiving circuitry that has the capability to selectively
respond to coded request signals transmitted by an RFID STR 30. The
active smart tag 72 may include the capability to delete its fixed
code and receive new or additional information beyond the
information contained in its fixed code. An active smart tag 72
requires an internal power supply, such as a micro-battery, thin
film battery, or the like. Active tags 72 may be desired in the
scenarios wherein the tags 72 are mounted at storage locations of
particular products. In this way, as different products are stored
at the respective locations, the smart tags 72 can be programmed
accordingly.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a point of sale comprising an automatic
check-out-station 80 is presented. Check-out-station 80 comprises
check-out computer 85, card reader 89, scale 82, an electronic tag
reader (not shown) incorporated in check-out computer 85 and a
legacy optical bar code scanner 87. Check-out computer 85 is in
communication with card reader 89, scale 82 and optical bar code
scanner 87. Check-out computer 85 may also be in communication with
retailer central computer 20 and/or manufacturer central computer
12 via communication link 24 or any other suitable communication
link. Hot-products 91-95 are placed on scale 82 allowing check-out
computer 85 to determine a total-measured-weight for such
hot-products. Check-out computer 85 uses an electronic tag scanner
to retrieve product information stored in electronic tags 72
associated with hot-products 91-95. Check-out computer 85 may also
obtain supplemental-product-information for hot-products 91-95 from
a remote computer, such as retailer central computer 20 and/or
manufacturer central computer 12. Using at least part of the
retrieved product information and/or
supplemental-product-information, check-out computer 85 determines
the total sales price for hot-products 91-95 automatically
adjusting the total sales price to compensate for qualifying
promotional offers, such as cross-marketing offers.
For example, suppose manufacturer X offers a cross-marketing
promotional offer that reduces the price of hot-product 93 by 10%
when a customer purchases hot-product 92. When a customer places
hot-product 92 and hot-product 93 on scale 82, check-out computer
85 scans the electronic tags 72 associated with hot-products 92 and
93, retrieves product information and/or
supplemental-product-information for hot-products 92 and 93,
determines that a qualifying cross-marketing promotional offer has
been accepted and automatically reduces the sales price for
hot-product 93 by 10%.
FIG. 4 presents one exemplary embodiment of an automatic check-out
station used in conjunction with smart cart 61. To initiate the
automatic check-out process, a customer places smart cart 61 within
area 96. Automatic check-out-station 81 may automatically detect
the presence of smart cart 61 in area 96 or a customer may initiate
the automatic check-out process using check-out computer 85 and
performing the appropriate function (such as pushing a "start
automatic check-out button"). Check-out computer 85 may then access
customer-interface 62 and validate the product information
associated with hot-product 91 as well as the measured hot-product
91 weight information. If such information is deemed acceptable,
check-out computer 85 validates the automatic check-out and the
customer is presented with a total purchase price and payment is
requested. Such customer may then "swipe" a credit card, debit card
or other suitable card through card reader 89 to pay the total
purchase price. As before, the total purchase price has been
automatically adjusted to account for any qualifying promotional
offers, such as cross-marketing promotional-offers.
Examples of methodologies for using system 10 are now discussed.
FIG. 5 is a high level block diagram depicting exemplary logic for
a Main Cross-Marketing & Automatic Check-out (CMAC) routine.
Main CMAC routine is preferably implemented in software executed by
a computer associated retailer central computer 20 or
customer-interface 62. It should be appreciated, however, that any
computer with access to communications link 24 may be the computer
executing the CMAC routine and hereafter such computer will simply
be referred to as the "computer." Step 100 marks the entry point
into the exemplary CMAC routine shown in FIG. 5. At step 102, the
computer waits for a product-information retrieval triggering
event. Exemplary product-information triggering events ideally
coincide with "points of purchasing decision." Examples of "points
of purchasing decisions" include: (1) the moments when a customer
is viewing a product while shopping, (2) the entire time while
shopping for products that have been placed in a customer storage
area, (3) the moments at a point of sale (the check-out station)
and (4) the moments while responding to a customer request for data
about a product. Thus, exemplary product-information retrieval
triggering events include: (1) a customer picking up a product, (2)
a customer placing a product in a customer storage area, (3) a
customer presenting at product at a point of sale for purchase, (4)
a customer request for product information. The products that
trigger the above-described product-information retrieval process
are hereafter referred to as "hot-products." Upon detecting a
triggering event, the computer retrieves product information stored
in electronic tags associated with such hot-products (step 104).
Additionally, the computer may access
supplemental-product-information using such retrieved product
information. With such information, at step 106, the computer
determines if a cross-marketing (CM) promotional offer is
associated with the hot-product(s). If no cross-marketing
promotional offer is associated with the hot-product(s), program
control passes to step 114. If, however, a cross-marketing
promotional offer is associated with the hot-product(s), the
computer presents the cross-marking promotional offer to the
customer (step 108). Such information may be presented, for
example, using an LCD and/or speaker associated with a customer
interface, such as customer interface 62. Such information would
typically include a description of the second item for which the
customer will receive a reduced price if such customer purchases
the hot-product. Such information may also include in-store
location information to assist the customer in locating the second
item.
At step 110, the computer determines if the customer accepts the
cross-marketing promotional offer. Step 110 may be accomplished by
requesting the customer to respond to a computer generated question
and detecting/recording the customer response. For example, the
computer may transmit cross-marketing promotional offer information
and then present the following: "If you accept this offer, please
press 1."
Alternatively, detecting acceptance of the cross-marketing offer
may simply comprise determining if the second item is added to a
customer display inventory location. Using this method, step 110
and 112 may be skipped (i.e. program control passes directly from
step 108 to step 114) and/or performed later. At step 114, the
computer detects when a customer has arrived at a point-of-sale and
executes the exemplary "POS Check-out" routine.
Point 120 marks the entry into an exemplary point of sale (POS)
check-out routine. At steps 122, the computer determines if an
automatic check-out is desired. If an automatic check-out is not
desired, program control passes to step 124 and the typical, well
known manual check-out process is begun where a retailer employee
scans the hot-products. However, even with such manual check-outs,
benefits of the disclosed invention can still be leveraged. At step
124, electronic tags associated with hot-products are scanned and
at least part of the product information stored in such tags is
retrieved. With this information, the computer may acquire
supplemental-product-information. The computer then automatically
determines if there are any qualifying promotional offers
associated with the hot-products and the sales price is
automatically adjusted as required. At step 128 the shopper is
presented with the bill and payment is requested.
If at step 122 an automatic check-out is desired, program controls
passes to step 130 and an exemplary Automatic Check-out routine is
executed. Step 140 marks entry into an Automatic Check-Out routine.
At step 142, the computer determines if the smart-cart information
is to be used. The results of step 142 may be determined by the
smart-cart configuration, the status of the smart-cart or other
considerations. For example, if the smart-cart does not have an
operable scale, then the smart-cart weight info cannot be used.
Although it should be appreciated that the smart-cart pricing
information could still be used.
If at step 142 the computer determines that the smart-cart info is
to be used, at step 146 the hot-product's weight information and
smart tag information is verified by rescanning the electronic tags
associated with the hot-product(s) and reacquiring the weight of
the hot-product(s). Alternatively, previously acquired electronic
tag and weight data may be used (no rescanning or reweighing).
If the hot-product's weight and electronic tag information are
acceptable, a valid automatic check-out has been deemed achieved
(i.e. "BAD Smart-Cart Info" flag will not be set) and program
control passes back to the calling routine. If, however, at step
148 the smart-cart weight and/or electronic tag information for the
hot-product(s) are not acceptable, then a "Bad Smart-Cart Info"
flag is set and program control jumps back to the calling routine
(i.e. the POS Check-out routine).
Returning to step 142, if for some reason the smart-cart check-out
information can not be entirely used (for example, no scale or bad
scale), a different semi-automatic self check-out process can be
utilized. At step 150, the computer asks the customer to remove a
hot-product from a customer storage area and place such hot-product
on, or move such hot-product close to, a check-out station scanner.
At step 152, the electronic tags associated with such hot-product
are scanned and relevant hot-product information is retrieved as
before. Next, at step 153, the weight of the product is acquired.
The measured weight and the expected weight is compared and, at
step 154, if the weight is OK, program control passes to step 156
to determine if the last item has been scanned. If the last item
has been scanned program control simply passes back to the calling
program (i.e. the POS Check-out routine). If at step 156 the
computer determines that the last item has not been scanned,
program control jumps back to step 150.
If at step 154 the hot-product weight is not acceptable, then a
"Bad Smart-Cart Info" flag is set and program controls returns to
the calling program.
Upon returning to the POS Check-out routine from the Automatic
Check-out routine, program control passes to step 132. If the "Bad
Smart-Cart Info" flag is set, a customer service person is notified
of an invalid smart-cart information condition (step 134).
Otherwise, program control passes to step 128 where the customer is
presented with the bill and payment is collected.
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with
respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of
the foregoing may readily adapt the present technology for
alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments.
Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of
example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject
disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications,
variations, and/or additions to the present subject matter as would
be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
It should also be appreciated that the system and method according
to the invention are not limited to any particular type of
commercial or market scenario, but have application wherever
customer goods or products are typically purchased.
* * * * *
References